Identification of Cellular Binding Sites for a Novel Human Anti-Breast Cancer Peptide

Abstract

We have synthesized a nine amino acid peptide, AFPep, that inhibits the growth of ER+ human breast. Understanding the process by which AFPep mediates its inhibitory activity is extremely important for the development of this drug or other drugs which exploit the same biochemical pathways to arrest breast cancer growth. We have developed and optimized an affinity chromatography procedure to identify the receptor for AFPep by using the peptide as "bait" to isolate proteins from solublized cells which have an affinity for the peptide. A protein of approximately 70 kDa which shows specificity for the linear form of the peptide, AFPep, has been isolated and identified by mass spectroscopy as Hsp72 which together with Hsp9O and other components forms a heterocomplex that binds to the ER and mediates ligand binding and transcriptional activities. The specificity of the interaction between AFPep and Hsp72 and the relevance to the anti-breast cancer activity of AFPep are currently being evaluated. In addition, an in vitro cell culture method which shows consistent inhibition by AFPep of estrogen-stimulated growth of human breast cancer cells has been developed and will be used to evaluate the mechanism of action of the peptide.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA425751

Entities

People

  • James M Bennett
  • Lori Defreest

Organizations

  • Albany Medical College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Breast Cancer
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chromatography
  • Culture Techniques
  • Databases
  • Estrogens
  • Inhibition
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecules
  • Neoplasms
  • Peptides
  • Pituitary And Hypothalamic Hormones And Analogues
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry